User configurable quick groups

ABSTRACT

This invention is directed to defining quick groups for easily associating keywords with an object (e.g., a media objection) accessible using an electronic device. The user of an electronic device may define several keywords that identify attributes of an object accessible using the electronic device. The user may associate keywords with an object to link the attribute of the keyword with the object (e.g., associate a keyword entitled “vacation” to vacation pictures). The user may assign a shortcut key to each of a subset of the keywords, referred to as quick groups, by which the user may rapidly associate the keyword to an object. In some embodiments, the electronic device may select the shortcut key of a quick group from the letters of the quick group to help the user remember the shortcut key.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to configuring quick groups for quicklyassociating keywords with an object, such as media objects, accessibleusing an electronic device.

Using electronic devices, users may access different media objects, suchas videos and images.

The media objects may be stored in one or more folders, which may benamed for an attribute of the media objects stored in the folder. Somemedia objects, however, may include many attributes that the user wouldlike to associate with each of the media objects. For example, a usermay wish to associate vacation pictures taken with friends with tags forthe location of the vacation, the activity conducted, the people in eachpicture, or any other tag that may be of interest to the user.Accordingly, some electronic device may allow users to define metadatakeywords that can be associated with media objects.

Some users may have very large numbers of media objects with which theusers may wish to associate keywords. Using keywords as implemented insome known electronic devices, users may be forced to select mediaobjects to be associated with a particular keyword, and then select thekeyword using an input mechanism, for example by selecting theappropriate keyword icon displayed on-screen. This process may becumbersome and time intensive, and thus prevent busy or impatient usersfrom avoid associating keywords with media objects. There is a need,therefore, for a system by which users may easily associate tags withmedia objects accessible using an electronic device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Systems and methods for creating and associating quick groups with mediaobjects accessible using an electronic device are provided.

The user of an electronic device may define several keywords that may beassociated with media objects (e.g., videos, music, or pictures) and mayselect a subset of the keywords. In response to receiving the userselection of the subset of keywords, the electronic device may assign ashortcut key to each of the subset of keywords to form a quick groupfrom each of the selected subset of keywords.

To associate a quick group with one or more media objects, the user mayselect the one or more media objects, and provide an input correspondingto the shortcut key assigned to the quick group. For example, if theshortcut key assigned to the quick group is a letter of the alphabet,the user may simply press the key corresponding to the letter on thekeyboard of the user's electronic device to associate the one or moremedia objects with the quick group.

The electronic device may select the shortcut key to assign to eachquick group using any suitable approach. For example, the electronicdevice may assign the first letter of a quick group as the shortcut keyof the quick group. If the electronic device determines that the firstletter of the quick group is not available (e.g., it has already beentaken by an existing quick group), the electronic device may assign asubsequent letter of the quick group as the shortcut key of the quickgroup. If the electronic device determines that none of the letters ofthe quick group are available, the electronic device may assign anarbitrary letter as the shortcut key of the quick group.

In some embodiments, the electronic device may periodically update theshortcut keys associated with each quick group. For example, theelectronic device may identify existing quick groups and their assignedshortcut keys, and determine whether the first character of any existingquick group is the shortcut key assigned to another quick group thatdoes not begin with that character (e.g., it is a subsequent characterof the other quick group, or was the next available character when theother quick group was created). In response to determining that thefirst character of a quick group is the shortcut key assigned to anotherquick group that does not begin with that character, the electronicdevice may reassign the shortcut key to the quick group for which it isthe first character, and assign another shortcut key to the other quickgroup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention, its nature andvarious advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative system in which objectsmay be associated with user configurable quick groups in accordance withone embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative display screen for organizing images inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustrative display screen of a quick group window inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is another illustrative display screen of a quick group window inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are illustrative display screens of quick group portionsin accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is still another illustrative display screen of a quick groupwindow in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an illustrative display screen of a window for editing quickgroups and keywords in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is an illustrative display screen of a quick group window inresponse to a user request to edit keywords and quick groups inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is an illustrative display screen of the quick group window ofFIG. 9 in response to a user request to edit a keyword in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is an illustrative display screen of the quick group portion ofFIG. 9 in response to a user request to edit a shortcut key inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is an illustrative display screen for organizing audio inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is an illustrative flow chart of a process for associating aquick group with an image in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of an illustrative process for assigning ashortcut key to a quick group in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative system in which objectsmay be associated with user configurable quick groups in accordance withone embodiment of the invention. System 100 may include electronicdevice 102. Electronic device 102 may be any electronic device withwhich a user may access objects (e.g., images, videos, music or otherfiles). Suitable electronic devices may include, for example, acomputer, a cellular telephone, a mobile communications device, apersonal media device, a set-top box, a television system, combinationsthereof (e.g., the iPhone, available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino,Calif.) or any other suitable electronic device.

Electronic device 102 may include processor 104 for performing theoperations of electronic device 102. Processor 104 may be coupled to anyother suitable component of electronic device 102. For example,processor 104 may be coupled to memory, a storage device, communicationscircuitry, a display, audio circuitry, a bus, an I/O component, or anyother suitable component.

System 100 may include input mechanism 106 for providing user inputs toelectronic device 102. Input mechanism 106 may include any suitablemechanism for providing user inputs or instructions to electronic device102. Input mechanism 106 may take a variety of forms, such as one ormore buttons, keyboard, keypad, dial, click wheel, mouse, or a touchscreen. The user interface may include a multi-touch screen such as thatdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,846, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety. The user interface may emulate a rotary phone ora multi-button keypad, which may be implemented on a touch screen or thecombination of a click wheel or other user input device and a screen. Amore detailed discussion of such a rotary phone interface may be found,for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/591,752, filed Nov.1, 2006, entitled “Touch Pad with Symbols based on Mode,” which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Screen 108 may be any suitable screen for displaying objects, media orother content to a user. For example, screen 108 may be a television, aprojector, a monitor (e.g., a computer monitor), a media device display(e.g., a media player or video game console display), a communicationsdevice display (e.g., a cellular telephone display), a component coupledwith a graphical output device, any combinations thereof, or any othersuitable screen.

The user may organize objects accessible using electronic device 102using any suitable approach. In particular, the user may use the quickgroups of this invention to organize large amounts of media objectsstored or placed in one location. For example, the user may organizepictures into albums using quick groups (e.g., in iPhoto). As anotherexample, the user may organize music into playlists using quick groups(e.g., in iTunes). In the following discussion, embodiments of theinvention will be illustrated in the context of images (e.g.,photographs taken by a camera). It will be understood, however, that anyobject (e.g., including any media object such as music) accessible usingelectronic device 102 may be organized in accordance with embodiments ofthis invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative display screen for organizing images inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display screen 200 mayinclude folder tree 202 and image portion 210. Folder tree 202 mayinclude several folders 204 organized in a tree structure. The user maynavigate the tree structure by selecting arrows 206. In response toselecting an arrow 206, the electronic device may display or hide thesubfolders of the folder associated with the arrow 206. For example, inresponse to selecting the folder entitled “Senior Year,” the electronicdevice may display subfolders entitled “Building Virtual World,”“Campus,” and “Alice's 21st birthday.” In response to selecting aparticular folder (e.g., identified by highlight region 208), theelectronic device may display the images stored in the selected folderin image portion 210.

Image portion 210 may include several thumbnails 212 of images stored inthe folder identified by highlight region 208. Thumbnails 212 may bedisplayed in any suitable manner or order, including for example by filename, file size, date and time taken, or any other suitable manner ororder. In some embodiments, the user may select a thumbnail 212 to viewthe full-size image associated with the thumbnail.

The user may store images in folders 204 of folder tree 202. By namingfolders 204, the user may provide an indication of the attributes orcharacteristics associated with the objects (e.g., the images) stored ineach folder 204. Although this approach may be effective for providingan indication of one attribute of an image, it may prevent the user fromassociating several attributes to the same image. For example, if animage includes attributes related to two or more folders, the user maybe forced to either select one attribute and store the image in thefolder associated with the selected attribute, or store the image in allof the appropriate folders, which may unnecessarily take up additionalmemory and become confusing for the user.

To accommodate images having attributes conducive to associating theimages with several folders, the electronic device may provide keywordsthat may be associated with images. Keywords may include any data thatcan be associated with images, including for example metadata. Usingkeywords, the user may associate several attributes with a single image(e.g., associate the keywords “Yankees,” “San Francisco,” and “BusinessTrip” with a picture of a Yankees-Giants baseball game played during theuser's business trip to San Francisco) to more accurately describe theimage without changing the location of the image in memory (e.g.,without changing the folder in which the image is located). In someembodiments, keywords may be used to create albums of related images(e.g., a vacation album of images associated with the keyword“Vacation”).

FIG. 2 may include pop-up window 220 of keywords 222. Although keywords222 are provided in a pop-up window in FIG. 2, it will be understoodthat any other approach (e.g., new screen, tool bar, or new icons) maybe used to provide keywords 222 to the user. To associate a keyword withan image, the user may first select one or more thumbnails 212 (e.g.,using an input mechanism, such as a keyboard and/or a mouse), andsubsequently select a keyword 212 (e.g., by selecting an on-screenkeyword option). For example, to associate an image of a child playingsoccer with the keyword “fun,” the user may first select the thumbnailof the image (e.g., thumbnail 213), and subsequently select “fun”keyword 223. In some embodiments, the user may first select a keyword222, and subsequently select one or more thumbnails 212. The electronicdevice may identify the currently selected keyword 222 by usinghighlight region 224. If an image is currently selected, the electronicdevice may identify the one or more keywords associated with the imageusing highlight region 224.

In some embodiments, the user may wish to associate several images withseveral different keywords quickly. Using the approach described above,the user would need to select each image individually, and subsequentlyselect each of the keywords that are to be associated with each image.Alternatively, the user would instead first select a particular keywordand associate it with each appropriate image, then repeat this processfor every other keyword of interest. While this approach may provide thedesired result, it may be cumbersome and slow to use, especially if theuser has a large number of images, keywords, or both.

To provide a more efficient mechanism for associating keywords withimages, the electronic device may create shortcuts for one or morekeywords. FIG. 3 is an illustrative display screen of a quick groupwindow in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Window 300may include keyword portion 310 and quick group portion 320. Keywordportion 310 may include several keywords 312. The user may associate oneor more keywords 312 with an image using any suitable approach describedabove. The user may edit keywords by selecting EDIT KEYWORDS option 314.

Quick group portion 320 may include notice 322 indicating that the usermay add keywords into keyword portion 320 to create quick groups. FIG. 4is another illustrative display screen of a quick group window inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Window 400 may includekeyword portion 410 and quick group portion 420, in which severalkeywords selected from keyword portion 410 have been placed. The usermay add keywords to quick group portion 420 using any suitable approach.For example, the user may drag and drop keywords from keyword portion410 to quick group portion 420. As another example, the user may selectkeywords from keyword portion 410 and provide an input with an inputmechanism (e.g., input mechanism 106) to move keywords into quick groupportion 420 (e.g., an “up arrow” or “move” input). Once moved fromkeyword portion 410 to quick group portion 420, keywords 412 may beidentified as quick groups 422.

A shortcut key may be assigned to each quick group 422. The electronicdevice may use any suitable approach for assigning a shortcut key toquick group 422. FIGS. 5 and 6 are illustrative display screens of quickgroup portions in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Quickgroup portion 500 may include quick groups 502, each of which may beassociated with shortcut key 510. Similarly, quick group portion 600 mayinclude quick groups 602, each of which may be associated with shortcutkey 610. The electronic device may assign any suitable shortcut key foreach of quick groups 502 and 602. For example, as shown in quick groupportion 500 of FIG. 5, the electronic device may assign a number to eachquick group. The electronic device may assign numbers using any suitableapproach, including for example based on the order in which the quickwords are formed, alphabetically (e.g., 1 for “California,” 2 for “Dad,”etc. in FIG. 5), or using any other suitable approach.

As another example, as shown in quick group portion 600 of FIG. 6, theelectronic device may assign the first letter of each quick group to thequick group (e.g., the letter “b” is assigned to the quick group“Boardwalk,” the letter “s” is assigned to the quick group “SantaCruz”). In some embodiments, the electronic device may distinguishbetween uppercase and lowercase letters in shortcut key assignments, ormay instead assign both uppercase and lowercase letters to the samequick group.

The electronic device may use any suitable approach for assigningshortcut keys to quick groups if the first letter of a particular quickgroup has already been used. For example, the electronic device mayassign uppercase letters to a particular quick group (e.g., if theelectronic device distinguishes between uppercase and lowercaseletters). As another example, if a particular quick group has two words(e.g., Lands End) or two upper case letters (e.g., LaVache), theelectronic device may assign the first letter of the second word or thenext upper case letter to the particular quick group. As still anotherexample, the electronic device may assign the second letter of a quickgroup to the quick group (e.g., assign the letter “r” to the quick group“Artsy” if the letter “a” is already assigned to the quick group“Annabelle”). As still another example, if every letter of a quick groupis taken, the electronic device may assign any suitable key (e.g., thenext unassigned letter in the alphabet).

The following discussion of FIG. 7 may serve to illustrate one exampleof a process for assigning particular shortcut keys to quick groups.FIG. 7 is still another illustrative display screen of a quick groupwindow in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Window 700may include keyword portion 710 and quick group portion 720. Quick groupportion 720 may include several quick groups 722, including quick groups“a,” “AA” and “Annabelle.” Because the quick group “Annabelle” was thefirst one created, it is assigned to the shortcut key “a,” identified byshortcut key identifier 724. When the quick group “aa” is created, itcan no longer be assigned to the shortcut key “a.” Instead, theelectronic device may assign quick group “a” to shortcut key “A” (e.g.,the first letter of quick group “a” has already been taken, so use theuppercase letter “A”). When the quick group “AA” is subsequentlycreated, the electronic device cannot assign either shortcut key “a” orshortcut key “A” to that group. In addition, the quick group “AA” has noother letters which could serve as a basis for a shortcut key.Therefore, the electronic device may assign the next available letter toquick group “AA” (e.g., shortcut key “d” in the example of FIG. 7because “b” is taken by the quick group entitled “Boardwalk” and “c” istaken by the quick group entitled “Connor”).

To associate a quick group with an image, the user may select an imageand press the shortcut key assigned to the desired quick group. Byselecting an image and sequentially selecting the shortcut keys of eachof the quick groups with which the user desires to associate the image,the user may quickly associate a number of quick groups with an image.In some embodiments, the user may also use approaches described above inconnection with keywords to associate quick groups with one or moreimages.

To allow the user to use the shortcut keys in other contexts than quickgroups (e.g., press “t” to page to the top of a screen, or “p” to playmusic when the media objects are music files), the electronic device maynot associate quick groups with images in response to user selections ofshortcut keys unless the user provides an instruction to enable quickgroups. For example, the electronic device may allow the user toassociate quick groups with images using shortcut keys only when quickgroups window 300 is displayed or selected. As another example, theelectronic device may require the user to press an additional key alongwith the shortcut key (e.g., Ctrl or Option+shortcut key). As stillanother example, the electronic device may determine, based on thecontext, whether to associate the quick group of a pressed shortcut keywith an image (e.g., if an image is selected, the shortcut keys areenabled). In some embodiments, if quick groups are not enabled, theelectronic device may simply treat quick groups as keywords.

The electronic device may store assignments of quick groups and quickgroup shortcut keys in memory of electronic device 102 (FIG. 1). Forexample, the electronic device may store the quick group and quick groupshortcut key assignments in memory coupled to processor 104 (FIG. 1).The electronic device may store the quick group and quick group shortcutkey assignments using any suitable data structure, including for examplea table or a database (e.g., with one row or column of quick groups, andone row or column of assigned shortcut keys). In some embodiments, theelectronic device may store keywords and quick groups in the same datastructure.

The user may edit quick groups and assigned shortcut keys using anysuitable approach. FIG. 8 is an illustrative display screen of a windowfor editing quick groups and keywords in accordance with one embodimentof the invention. The user may access screen 800 using any suitableapproach, including for example selecting an on-screen EDIT KEYWORDSoption (e.g., option 314, FIG. 3). Screen 800 may include keywords 802.The user may select a keyword by placing highlight region 804 over thekeyword. For example, the user may use input mechanism 106 (FIG. 1) toplace a cursor over a key word 802 and provide a selection instruction.As another example, the user may use input mechanism 106 to directhighlight region to move up and down (e.g., the user presses up and downkeys, or selects “+” or “−” on-screen icons).

The user may direct the electronic device to rename the keywordidentified by highlight region 804 using any suitable approach. Forexample, the user may select on-screen RENAME option 806. As anotherexample, the user may select the keyword identified by highlight region804 a second time (e.g., click twice on the keyword using a pointer).Once the user has selected the keyword, the user may rename the keywordby providing a new name using the input mechanism (e.g., input mechanism106, which may include a keyboard).

Window 800 may include quick group shortcuts 810, which may be assignedonly to the keywords that have become quick groups. The user may changean existing quick group shortcut 810 using any suitable approach,including for example placing highlight region 804 over a quick groupshortcut 810 and providing an instruction to change the shortcut (e.g.,selecting on-screen SHORTCUT option 812). Once the user has selected aquick group shortcut 810, the user may provide an input for anothershortcut key (e.g., using input mechanism 106). If the user selects ashortcut key that has already been assigned, the electronic device may,for example, inform the user of the conflict and prevent the assignmentof the requested shortcut key to the selected quick group. As anotherexample, the electronic device may assign the shortcut key to theselected quick group, and assign a new shortcut key to the quick groupthat was previously assigned to the selected shortcut key (e.g.,automatically, or the electronic device may prompt the user to provide anew shortcut key).

In some embodiments, the user may create new quick groups using window800. For example, if the user assigns a shortcut key to a keyword 802that initially did not have a shortcut key assigned, the electronicdevice may form a quick group from the keyword (e.g., and move thekeyword from keyword portion 310 to quick group portion 320, FIG. 3).The user may add a shortcut to a keyword using any suitable approach,including for example placing highlight region 804 over a keyword 802and providing an instruction to add a shortcut (e.g., selectingon-screen SHORTCUT option 812). The user may then provide an inputdefining a shortcut key (e.g., using input mechanism 106).

In some embodiments, the user may edit keywords and quick groups withoutneeding to access window 800. FIG. 9 is an illustrative display screenof a quick group window in response to a user request to edit keywordsand quick groups in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Theuser may provide an edit request using any suitable approach, includingfor example selecting an on-screen EDIT option (e.g., EDIT option 314,FIG. 3). Window 900 may include keywords portion 910 and quick groupsportion 920. Keywords 912 and quick groups 922 in keywords portion 910and quick group portion 920, respectively, may be identified by icon 930as accessible for editing.

In response to selecting a keyword or quick group, the electronic devicemay allow the user to edit the selected keyword or quick group. FIG. 10is an illustrative display screen of the quick group window of FIG. 9 inresponse to a user request to edit a keyword in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. Window 1000 may include keyword portion1010, in which keyword 1012 has been selected for editing. Theelectronic device may highlight keyword 1012 with highlight region 1014to indicate to the user that the keyword may be edited. The user mayprovide an input using an input mechanism (e.g., input mechanism 106,FIG. 1) to change selected keyword 1012. In some embodiments, the usermay also edit quick groups of quick group portion 1020 using the sameapproach. In some embodiments, the user may cancel editing keyword 1012by providing a CANCEL or ESCAPE instruction (e.g., using input mechanism106).

FIG. 11 is an illustrative display screen of the quick group portion ofFIG. 9 in response to a user request to edit a shortcut key inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Window 1100 may includequick group portion 1120, in which shortcut key 1122 has been selectedfor editing. The electronic device may identify that shortcut key 1122has been selected for editing using icon 1124 (e.g., a question markicon). The user may provide a new shortcut key 1122 using an inputmechanism (e.g., input mechanism 106, FIG. 1). In some embodiments, theuser may cancel editing shortcut key 1122 by providing a CANCEL orESCAPE instruction (e.g., using input mechanism 106).

In some embodiments, quick groups may be used in the context of music oraudio. For example, quick groups may be used to define the content ofplaylists (e.g., where each playlist is associated with or is defined asa quick group). FIG. 12 is an illustrative display screen for organizingaudio in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display screen1200 may include playlist portion 1202 and audio portion 1210. Playlistportion 1202 may include several playlists 1204, each a collection ofaudio. Audio portion 1210 may include listings 1212 of music and otheraudio available to the user of the electronic device. Listings 1212 maybe displayed in any suitable order, including by name, audio length,artist, album, or any other suitable order. In response to selecting alisting 1212, the electronic device may play the audio of the selectedlisting.

The user may place audio from audio portion 1210 in playlists 1204 usingany suitable approach. In some embodiments, the user may drag and drop alisting 1212 into a playlist 1204. In some embodiments, the electronicdevice may define quick groups associated with each playlist (e.g., eachquick group is a playlist). The electronic device may display pop-upwindow 1220 that includes keywords 1222 and quick groups 1224. Althoughkeywords 1222 and quick groups 1224 are provided in a pop-up window inFIG. 12, it will be understood that any other approach (e.g., newscreen, tool bar, or new icons) may be used to provide keywords 1222 andquick groups 1224 to the user. To associate a quick group (e.g., andthus a playlist) with a listing, the user may select a listing and pressthe shortcut key associated with the quick group (e.g., shortcut key1225).

The following flow charts serve to illustrate processes involved in someembodiments of this invention. Although the following flow charts mayinclude references to the letters or numbers being used as shortcut key,it will be understood that in that context, the terms “letter” and“number” may include any character that may be used as a shortcut key.In addition, it will be understood that image may be substituted for anyother suitable media (e.g., audio or music). FIG. 13 is an illustrativeflow chart of a process for associating a quick group with an image inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Process 1300 may beginat step 1302. At step 1304, the electronic device may receive aselection of an image. For example, the user may select an imagedisplayed on display 108 using input mechanism 106 (FIG. 1). As anotherexample, electronic device 102 (FIG. 1) may automatically select animage. At step 1306, the electronic device may determine whether quickgroups are enabled. For example, the electronic device may determinewhether a quick groups window is displayed and/or selected. As anotherexample, the electronic device may determine whether the user hasprovided an instruction to enable quick groups (e.g., whether the userhas entered an input, such as a key or key sequence, using inputmechanism 106 to enable quick groups).

If the electronic device determines that quick groups are not enabled,process 1300 may move to step 1308. At step 1308, the electronic devicemay ignore quick group shortcut keys entered by the user. For example,the electronic device may ignore inputs provided by input mechanism 106that correspond to quick group shortcut keys. As another example, theelectronic device may perform operations other than associating a quickgroup with a selected image in response to receiving an input of ashortcut key from input mechanism 106. Process 1300 may then end at step1310.

If, at step 1306, the electronic device instead determines that quickgroups are enabled, process 1300 may move to step 1312. At step 1312,the electronic device may receive a quick group shortcut key. Forexample, the electronic device may receive an input from input mechanism106 that corresponds to a quick group shortcut key. At step 1314, theelectronic device may identify the quick group assigned to the quickgroup shortcut key received at step 1312. For example, the electronicdevice may identify the quick group assigned to the received shortcutkey using the data structure used to store the quick group and shortcutkey assignments (e.g., a table).

At step 1316, the electronic device may associate the selected imagewith the identified quick group. For example, electronic device 102 mayassociate the image selected at step 1304 with the quick groupidentified at step 1314. The electronic device may perform theassociation using any suitable approach, including for example changingor adding metadata to the selected image to reflect the association ofthe quick group with the image. Process 1300 may then end at step 1310.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of an illustrative process for assigning ashortcut key to a quick group in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Process 1400 may begin at step 1402. At step 1404, theelectronic device may receive a selection of a keyword. For example, theuser may provide an instruction to select a keyword using inputmechanism 106 (e.g., the user may place a highlight region over akeyword using input mechanism 106, FIG. 1). At step 1406, the electronicdevice may receive an instruction to assign a shortcut key to theselected keyword. For example, the electronic device may receive aninstruction from input mechanism 106 to move a keyword into a quickgroups portion (e.g., quick groups portion 420, FIG. 4). As anotherexample, the electronic device may receive an instruction from inputmechanism 106 to enter a shortcut key assigned to a selected keyword(e.g., using window 800, FIG. 8 or window 1100, FIG. 11).

At step 1408, the electronic device may determine whether the firstletter of the selected keyword has been used as a shortcut key for anexisting quick group. For example, the electronic device may determinewhether the both the lowercase and uppercase first letter of theselected keyword have been assigned to an existing quick group. In someembodiments, the electronic device may compare the first letter of theselected keyword with the quick group and shortcut key assignmentsstored in memory to determine whether the first letter of the selectedkeyword has already been used.

If the electronic device determines that the first letter of theselected keyword has not been used as the shortcut key for an existingquick group, process 1400 may move to step 1412. At step 1412, theelectronic device may assign the first letter of the selected keyword asthe shortcut key of the new quick group. For example, the electronicdevice may create a new assignment in memory of the selected keyword andthe shortcut key. In some embodiments, if both the lowercase anduppercase first letter are available as a shortcut key, the electronicdevice may prefer the lowercase shortcut key (e.g., reducing the numberof keystrokes required to associate the quick group with an image).Process 1400 may then end at step 1414.

If, at step 1408, the electronic device instead determines that thefirst letter of the selected keyword has been used as a shortcut key foran existing quick group, process 1400 may move to step 1416. At step1416, the electronic device may determine whether all of the keywordbreak letters have been used by as a shortcut key for existing quickgroups. For example, the electronic device may determine whether thekeyword has a break (e.g., a keyword that includes several words, forexample Lands End, or a keyword that includes an intermediate upper caseletter, for example LaVache). If the electronic device determines thatthe keyword has a break, the keyword may determine whether the letter atthe break (e.g., “e” for Lands End, or “v” for LaVache”) has alreadybeen used as a keyword for an existing quick group. In some embodiments,the electronic device may compare the keyword break letters with thequick group and shortcut key assignments stored in memory to determinewhether the next letter of the selected keyword has already been used.

If the electronic device determines that a keyword break letter was notused, process 1400 may move to step 1418. At step 1418, the electronicdevice may assign the keyword break letter as the shortcut key of theselected keyword for the new quick group. For example, the electronicdevice may create a new assignment in memory of the selected keyword andthe shortcut key. In some embodiments, if both the lowercase anduppercase next letter are available as a shortcut key, the electronicdevice may prefer the lowercase shortcut key (e.g., reducing the numberof keystrokes required to associate the quick group with an image).Process 1400 may then end at step 1414.

If, at step 1416, the electronic device instead determines that all ofthe keyword break letters were used, or that there are not keyword breakletters, process 1400 may move to step 1420. At step 1420, theelectronic device may determine whether the next letter in the keywordhas been used as a shortcut key for a quick group. For example, theelectronic device may determine whether the both the lowercase anduppercase next letter of the selected keyword have been assigned to anexisting quick group. In some embodiments, the electronic device maycompare the next letter of the selected keyword with the quick group andshortcut key assignments stored in memory to determine whether the nextletter of the selected keyword has already been used.

If the electronic device determines that the next letter of the selectedkeyword has not been used as a shortcut key for an existing quick group,process 1400 may move to step 1422. At step 1422, the electronic devicemay assign the next letter of the keyword as the shortcut key of theselected keyword for the new quick group. For example, the electronicdevice may create a new assignment in memory of the selected keyword andthe shortcut key. In some embodiments, if both the lowercase anduppercase next letter are available as a shortcut key, the electronicdevice may prefer the lowercase shortcut key (e.g., reducing the numberof keystrokes required to associate the quick group with an image).Process 1400 may then end at step 1414.

If, at step 1420, the electronic device instead determines that the nextletter of the selected keyword has been used as a shortcut key for anexisting quick group, process 1400 may move to step 1424. At step 1424,the electronic device may determine whether there are any lettersremaining in the selected keyword. For example, the electronic devicemay determine whether all of the letters used in the keyword have beencompared to shortcut keys assigned to existing quick groups. If theelectronic device determines that letters are remaining in the selectedkeyword, process 1400 may move back to step 1420 and select the nextletter of the selected keyword.

If, at step 1424, the electronic device instead determines that noletters are remaining in the selected keyword, process 1400 may move tostep 1426. At step 1426, the electronic device may identify the nextavailable shortcut key. For example, the electronic device may identifythe next letter in the alphabet that has not yet been assigned to aquick group. At step 1428, the electronic device may assign theidentified letter as the shortcut key of the selected keyword to formthe new quick group. For example, the electronic device may create a newassignment in memory of the selected keyword and the shortcut key. Insome embodiments, if both a lowercase and uppercase letter are availableas a shortcut key, the electronic device may prefer the lowercaseshortcut key (e.g., reducing the number of keystrokes required toassociate the quick group with an image). Process 1400 may then end atstep 1414.

In some embodiments, the electronic device may periodically update quickgroup shortcut key assignments. For example, the electronic device mayupdate quick group shortcut key assignments at scheduled or arbitraryintervals. As another example, each time a new quick group is created,the electronic device may review its current quick group shortcut keyassignments (e.g., instead of moving directly to step 1416 after step1408). The electronic device may first determine whether the firstletter of the selected keyword has been used as the shortcut key ofanother quick group that does not begin with the same first letter. Forexample, the electronic device may determine whether the first letter ofthe selected keyword has been assigned to another quick group because itis a subsequent letter of the other quick group. As another example, theelectronic device may determine whether the first letter of the selectedkeyword was assigned because it was the next available letterarbitrarily chosen for an existing quick group (e.g., whether the firstletter of the selected keyword was assigned to a quick group at a priorinstance of step 1428). If the electronic device determines that thefirst letter of the selected keyword was assigned to another group thatdoes not begin with the first letter of the selected keyword, theelectronic device may, automatically or in response to a userinstruction, assign the first letter of the keyword as the shortcut keyof the new quick group, and change the shortcut key assigned to theother quick group (e.g., using process 1400).

The above described embodiments of the invention are presented forpurposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the presentinvention is limited only by the claims which follow.

1. A method for associating a keyword with a media file, comprising:defining a plurality of keywords operative to be associated with one ormore media files; receiving a selection of a subset of the plurality ofkeywords; automatically assigning a shortcut key to each of the subsetof the plurality of keywords, wherein the shortcut key is selected basedon the letters of the keyword; receiving a user input of a shortcut key;and in response to receiving the user input of the shortcut key,associating the keyword assigned to the received shortcut key with aparticular media file.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingreceiving a user selection of the particular media file.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein associating the keyword assigned to the receivedshortcut key with the particular media file further comprisesassociating metadata related to the keyword assigned to the receivedshortcut key with the media file.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving a user instruction to enable the shortcut keys;and in response to receiving the user instruction to enable the shortcutkeys, associating the keyword assigned to a received shortcut key with aparticular media file.
 5. A method for assigning a shortcut key to akeyword to form a quick group, comprising: receiving an instruction toform a quick group from a keyword; determining whether the firstcharacter of the keyword has been assigned as the shortcut key of anexisting quick group; in response to determining that the firstcharacter of the keyword has been assigned as the shortcut key of anexisting quick group, determining whether the subsequent characters ofthe keyword have been assigned as the shortcut keys of existing quickgroups; and in response to determining that the subsequent characters ofthe keyword have been assigned as the shortcut keys of existing quickgroups, assigning an arbitrary character as the shortcut key of thequick group formed from the keyword.
 6. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising, in response to determining that the first character of thekeyword has not been assigned as the shortcut key of an existing quickgroup, assigning the first character of the keyword as the shortcut keyof the quick group formed from the keyword.
 7. The method of claim 5,further comprising, in response to determining that at least onesubsequent character of the keyword has not been assigned as theshortcut keys of an existing quick group, assigning the at least onesubsequent character as the shortcut key of the quick group formed fromthe keyword.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the electronic devicedoes not distinguish between lowercase letters and uppercase letters forshortcut keys.
 9. A method for revising assignments of shortcut keys toquick groups, comprising: identifying the defined quick groups;identifying the shortcut keys assigned to the identified quick groups;determining whether the first character of a first quick group is theshortcut key assigned to a second quick group that does not begin withthe first character; and in response to determining that the firstcharacter of a first quick group is the shortcut key assigned to asecond quick group that does not begin with the first character,reassigning the shortcut key of the second quick group to the firstquick group.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising assigning anew shortcut key to the second quick group.
 11. The method of claim 9,wherein the first character is one of the characters of the second quickgroup.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the first character was thenext available unassigned character when the second quick group wascreated.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more media filescomprise at least one of an image file, an audio file, and a video file.14. An electronic device with which a user may assign a keyword with amedia object using a shortcut key, comprising a processor and memory,the processor operative to: store in memory a plurality of keywordsoperative to be associated with one or more media files; receive aselection of a subset of the plurality of keywords; store assignments ofshortcut keys to each of the subset of the plurality of keywords inmemory, wherein the shortcut keys are automatically selected based onthe letters of the assigned keyword; receive a user input of a shortcutkey; and in response to receiving the user input of the shortcut key,associate the keyword assigned to the received shortcut key with aparticular media file.
 15. The electronic device of claim 14, whereinthe processor if further operative to retrieve from memory theassignments of shortcut keys to each of the subset of the plurality ofkeys in memory in response to receiving a user input of a shortcut key.16. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the one or more mediafiles comprise at least one of an image file, an audio file and a videofile.